CHAPTER XIV.

SPITE the enthusiastic admiration of Audubon for the Scottish Highlands, and the numerous attractions, as well as grateful associations that linked him to the English metropolis, which he subsequently visited, his heart yearned for the majestic woods of his beloved land.

Previous to his departure for America, however, the gladness of anticipated return to his native shores, the satisfaction of witnessing the increasing success of his work, and the encouragement afforded him by a still extending circle of subscribers in Europe, were sources of happiness alloyed by one distress-anxiety respecting the precarious health of his wife. The thought of separation too, and his approaching absence heightened his solicitude, denied that dearest consolation of watching over its object. But at this trying juncture, he was solaced by the ready sympathy and benevolence of friendship, in the unfailing kindness of Mr. Philips, at that time the medical adviser of his family, whom he had but recently numbered among the subscribers to his work. The liberality and kindness of this excellent man is recorded with the warmest eulogy by Audubon, who gratefully makes mention of his services, together with those received from his ex

cellent friends, Dr. Argyle Robertson, Dr. Roscoe, and Dr. Carswell.

The courtesies of acquaintance between Mr. Philips and Audubon soon ripened into intimacy, and many an instance occurred which proved to the naturalist, not only the worth of his friend's attachment, but the value of his enlightenment, experience, and superior medical skill. Audubon's situation at the time, moreover, caused him to receive, as well as to remember, with especial gratitude, the generous assistance which it was in the power of his friend, by unremitting professional attention to afford. Thus assured of an unceasing watchfulness during his absence, over the delicate condition of his wife's health, he was enabled to leave the English shores with a peaceful assurance of heart, to which he would otherwise have been a stranger.

In August, therefore (1836), he proceeded on his voyage. Lingering at Boston, he had the gratification of an introduction to Nuttall, distinguished alike for his acquirements in zoology, botany, and mineralogy, who arrived at the city from his recent excursion over the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific, during Audubon's stay. Endowed with the most disinterested zeal for science, he at once generously presented Audubon with every prize of ornithological discovery in his possession, inscribing at the same time, in his journal, all that related to the habits of the several species.

To Philadelphia Audubon then hastened, in order to examine the collection of Dr. Townsend in that city. At New York, he obtained, in a week, eighteen addi

tions to his list of subscribers. Arriving at Philadelphia, he anxiously sought access to the scientific treasury of Townsend, indefatigable in his endeavors to concentrate in his own publication the fruits of all previous research. As before, however, Philadelphia afforded him but little encouragement, many of its inhabitants, though the self-styled lovers of science, so far from assisting his efforts, objecting even to his viewing the collection of Townsend, as well as to his desire of incorporating its discoveries with his own.

Such opposition was the more uncalled for, since it was entirely at variance with the wishes of the possessor of the specimens in question, who, absent at that time, afterwards evinced the warmest desire to render his acquisitions of service to Audubon, who, spite of all obstacles, at length succeeded in his hopes regarding them. From Philadelphia, he bent his

course towards Baltimore, and from thence to Charleston. While here, he received the intelligence of his having been elected a member of the Ornithological Society of London.

From New Orleans, down the Mississippi, through its south-west pass, he proceeded, and arrived in April (1837), at the Mexican Gulf, pausing now and then for the purpose of exploring the islands dotting its inlets.

In these excursions often he wandered through muddy swamps for whole days, exposed in addition to the terrible ordeal of a scorching sun, rendered still more unendurable by the swarms of insects which prevailed. At a later date, during several cross journey

ings over the country, he was compelled to wade through uncultivated wastes, by tracks more resembling quagmires than roads, plodding thus daily, supported only by whatever chance provision the barbarity of the land might afford.

At night the arduous enterprise was exchanged, not for the refreshment of downy bed and pillows, but the miserable shelter, perhaps, of a cart, in which, lying cramped, he was slowly jolted onwards till dawn, when his researches were again renewed! Though not a single discovery resulted from his toilsome wanderings at this period, they proved, nevertheless, profitable, as well as interesting, since he thus obtained not only a more accurate knowledge of the migratory movements of several species, already known to him, but understood more distinctly their geographical distribution.

Touching in his homeward course at Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York, where he remained a fortnight, he again paused at Liverpool, for the pleasure of once more greeting his numerous friends there, before proceeding to join his family in London. This

meeting we readily conceive to have been productive of unusual gratification and delight. After an interval of anxious separation, doubly joyful for Audubon was reunion to the beloved companion of his life. The gladness of the family gathering too, we imagine to have been increased, by the especial interest and hilarity natural to the occasion-the introduction of one in her newly formed several relations, a daughter, a sister, and a bride; for the son of Audubon, who had accompanied him in his recent expedition, had but

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lately been united to the daughter of his friend, Dr. Bachman.

The "Birds of America" proceeded satisfactorily, though several subscribers manifested impatience for the completion of the work, and some even discontinued their subscriptions. Out of deference to the wishes of these, Audubon was induced to crowd, occasionally, a number of species into one plate, and fortunate it was that a laudable regard for his cherished plan prevented him from further acquiesence to its detriment.

At this period, Dr. Townsend, after an absence of four years, returned to Philadelphia, with a second store of rarities. These, immediately forwarded by the kindness of his fellow labourer, reached Audubon only a few weeks before closing the engravings of his plates. A fresh perplexity thus arose. He reflected. To exclude any discovery from his volumes was impossible. Yet subscriptions continued to diminish, many refusing even to take the few remaining numbers, which would have rendered their copies complete. Obstacles and oppositions Audubon felt persuaded he must encounter to the end of his career. The promised realization of his plans-the completion of his work, worthily and honorably, notwithstanding all impediments, was his noble ambition and his single aim. This he resolved to accomplish, though at the cost of forfeiting every single subscriber, and he succeeded.

He was honored shortly after this date by a diploma from the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec. Aided by the diligence of his friend, Mr. Robert